Mandaluyong, Philippines—Reinvigorating its commitment to saving lives during disasters and emergencies, the Philippine Red Cross added a new set of humanitarian fleets from its partner organizations—five (5) Volunteer Emergency Response Vehicles (VERV), a service vehicle, and a bloodmobile unit. The turnover ceremony was held on May 28 at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong.
The five VERVs were donated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to be used by PRC Chapters in Northern Samar, Agusan del Sur, General Santos-Sarangai, South Cotabato, and Zamboanga Sibugay. VERV functions as a vehicle for the mobilization of volunteers during critical operations, assistance in evacuation efforts, and pick-up or delivery of lifesaving items to PRC chapters and beneficiaries. A service vehicle also from ICRC will be positioned at the PRC Chapter in Sulu.


Additionally, a new bloodmobile from the Rotary Club of San Juan Del Monte District 3800 and the Rotary Club of Gyeongju East District 3630 will be used by the PRC Rizal Chapter. This asset is equipped with donor beds, sterile blood collection systems, and donor comfort amenities, ensuring convenience in the blood donation process and rapid delivery of blood supply, especially in geographically isolated communities.


“The Philippine Red Cross has been busier and more involved. These additional assets are very useful for our continued efforts to alleviate human suffering. I’m glad to see our donors and chapters who are here today; you should help us spread and also be part of the PRC Safe Card which means you are all contributors to making sure that the Red Cross has more assets—bloodmobile units, ambulances, food trucks, water tankers, field hospitals, and so on—ang lahat ng ito ay napapakinabangan ng mga Pilipino at ng bayan,” PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon said.
“These assets will be supporting our operations on the ground. This is so important to make our presence felt during our emergency and disaster responses. To our donors, thank you for making the PRC your partner of choice,” PRC Secretary-General and Rotary Club of Manila 101 member Dr. Gwen Pang added.
With these additional assets, the PRC now has 21 VERVs and three bloodmobile units prepositioned in various PRC chapters nationwide.
The event was graced by the members of the PRC Board of Directors, chapter administrators, and representatives from the ICRC and Rotary Club.